Pakistan To Reopen Afghan Route Only When Security Improves

Pakistan says it will only reopen an important supply used by coalition troops in Afghanistan when public anger over NATO incursions eases and security improves.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Basit said on October 30 that the route "cannot" be opened while public frustration remains high.

Pakistani authorities, angered by repeated incursions by NATO helicopters over the past week, blocked the supply route for NATO troops on September 30 after one such strike killed three Pakistani soldiers in the northwestern Kurram region.

Also on October 3, Pakistani authorities say the bodies of three men were found by a road in the tribal region of North Waziristan in what is believed to be a retribution attack over U.S. drone strikes in the region.

Officials say two suspected U.S. drone strikes on October 2 killed 16 people in the region.compiled from agency reports